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BY: SUN STAFF
Campahatta Apr 02, 2014 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of the holy places mentioned in the Jaiva Dharma of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur - Part 44.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur states that Campahatta is non-different from Khadiravana of Vraja, where Krishna and Balarama take rest. It is one of six main towns that fall within the parameters of Koladvipa, along with Navadvipa, Teghatipara, Yamuna Prasada, Samudraghara, and Gadkhali char.
The Manasi Ganga used to flow through Campahatta, separating Koladvipa from Ritudvipa but it is not currently visible. In Vraja, the Manasi Ganga is a large lake in the middle of Govardhana, while in Campahatta it is seen as a river.
In Satya yuga, one very old brahmana used to live here surrounded by a big garden of champaka flowers. This old brahmana used to worship the Deities of Shri Shri Radha Govinda with those champaka flowers. Being pleased with the sincere worship of this brahmana, Lord Krishna gave him His darshan in His form as Lord Gauranga, who has the bodily hue of a fresh champaka flower. The old brahmana was astonished when he saw Lord Gauranga's effulgent form. At that time Lord Gauranga informed him that He would manifest Himself in Kali-yuga and distribute Krishna nama and Krishna prema. He further said that the brahmana would also take birth at the same time and would witness His munificent pastimes.
Sri Sri Gaura-Gadadhara at Campahatta In Krishna lila, this brahmana was Kamalaka sakhi. Being blessed by the Lord, he appeared in Gaura lila as the younger brother of Shri Gadadhara Pandit and was called Dvija Vaninath. The Deities of Gaura Gadadhara in the temple here were worshiped by him 500 years ago, while Lord Caitanya and Gadadhara were still on the planet. The Deities are very large, and stand with palms outstretched. In October 1921, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati established the Madhva Gaudiya Math in Dhaka, after giving a month-long discourse in which he explained the Bhagavat in thirty different ways. Sometime between then and June, 1922, the Thakur returned to Nabadwip and re-established the worship of Sri Sri Gaura Gadadhara at Champahatta. He also established the Gaudiya Matha at Campahatta. 
Sri Sri Gaura-Gadadhara's Bedroom In the early 1940's, an important discovery took place in Champahatta, and rare documents belonging to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta were put into the hands of his disciple, HH Bhakti Pajnan Kesava Goswami. In his Forward to "Vaisnava Vijaya: Life History of Mayavadism" (1968), the Swami writes: "After the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada in Calcutta on January 1, 1937, there was a considerable state of turmoil and unrest in the 64 maths of his Gaudiya Mission. Two years passed by and in this time all the important documents, manuscripts and deeds of Srila Prabhupada were stolen away. No one cared for them and they were lost forever. In June 1939 I found it impossible to stay any longer and I left the association of the Caitanya Math. In 1940 I founded Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti at 33/2 Bosepara Lane in Calcutta at a rented house. Subsequently in September of 1941 on the full moon in Katwa I took Vedic Tridandi Sannyasa from Srila Prabhupada's dear disciple, Srimad Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja and returned to Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti and continued with my preaching commitments. By the will of providence I chanced to sojourn to Champahati Samudragarh at the Sri Gaura Gadadhara Gaudiya Math to observe the Kartik month of the Chaturmasya Vrata. While there one devout devotee, Mata Ushalata Devi who as a much blessed disciple of Srila Prabhupada, presented me with a brief full of papers. To my great surprise and delight many of Srila Prabhupada's important documents and manuscripts were discovered along with my article on the "Life History of Mayavadism." This gift from the Lord, made possible by the mercy of my Gurudeva made me immensely happy and I accepted it as a manifestation of my Guru's desire." 
[ Photo: Chandan Bhatia ]
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